Famous for its sharp quills and the ability to thrive in dry, warm places, the cactus is one of the easiest plants to grow in pots. It needs little maintenance and is a colorful and vigorous houseplant. You can find cactus plants in an infinite variety of shapes and types. Some have beautiful blooms. All cacti are succulents (meaning they can store water) and all are perennial (meaning they live many years). However, some plants can always die, so learning the best techniques for how to grow cactus in pots can guarantee success.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Deciding how to start growing the cactus
Step 1. Start growing it from seed
- While this method isn't difficult, it can take a long time to see results. Cactus seeds may take up to a year to germinate and it can take several years for the young cactus to begin flowering.
- If you don't have a heated greenhouse, it's best to plant the seeds in late spring. The companies that supply them often offer many mixed varieties of cactus seeds.
- Use shallow, clean, sterilized pots to start planting. Get a mixture of soil and sand. Place the seeds in potting soil and cover them with just enough sand to anchor them in the soil. Know that they don't germinate well if planted too deep.
- Moisten the soil enough to wet the seeds. When it dries completely, use a water spray to keep it moist. Don't get too wet.
- Cover the seeds with a glass lid or cling film and be sure to remove any condensation that may form. When the seedlings sprout, remove the lid. Carefully separate any shoots that have grown together. Put the seedlings in light, but not in direct sunlight. Maintain a constant temperature around 21 ° C.
Step 2. Propagate the cactus from cuttings or branches taken from mature succulents
- Let the cutting dry and wait a couple of weeks for the cut edge to heal.
- Place the cutting with the healed side of the cut in a specific soil for rooting to encourage root formation. Make sure the cut is in the correct position. If the cutting is buried upside down, it will not grow. After a week, start watering it in moderation.
Step 3. Purchase a cactus plant at a garden center
- Avoid plants with damaged thorns or those with a dented, slender or asymmetrical appearance.
- Read the instructions that came with the plant or talk to a professional to find the best way to care for the type of cactus you have chosen to grow.
Part 2 of 6: Choosing the Right Soil
Step 1. Prepare a soil consisting of 60% pumice (or perlite or vermiculite), 20% coir (or peat) and 20% compost
Add fixes, such as slow-release fertilizer and bone meal
Step 2. Try using other types of soil or mixes to find the best one for you
Remember that the roots of the cactus must have a porous and well-draining soil, which can be easily moistened several times. On the market you can find some soil that has been specially prepared for cacti
Part 3 of 6: Choosing and Preparing the Right Jar
Step 1. Plant your cactus in an unglazed clay pot if possible as this will allow the water to evaporate more easily
However, glazed earthenware, plastic or ceramic pots are just as good as long as you make sure you don't overwater the plant, otherwise you could cause waterlogging.
Wide pots are preferable to tall, narrow ones which can cause stress to the cactus. The wide ones allow the shallow root system to spread naturally, while the deep vessels do not allow it
Step 2. Place coarse gravel or lava stones in the bottom of the pot before adding the soil
Make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes.
Do not use too large pots. These retain water which can cause root rot
Part 4 of 6: Carefully Plant the Cactus
Step 1. Use tongs to place the thorny cactus in the pot if it is small, or a rolled up newspaper and sturdy gloves for a larger one
Step 2. Carefully place the plant in the ground so it can support itself without falling
Part 5 of 6: Ensuring the Best Growth Conditions
Step 1. Always keep the cactus in very bright light, both indoors and out
You can install cactus lamps indoors if your home is quite dark.
- Avoid placing the pot in full sun, as it may burn and the roots will overheat.
- If the cactus is placed in full sun, use a white or light colored pot to prevent it from getting too hot. Young plants do best in partial sunlight.
Step 2. Wet the soil when it is dry
Simulate natural desert conditions by watering well, but rarely, in much the same way as a rare desert thunderstorm. Too much water will cause your plant to rot
Step 3. Keep the temperature constant
A cactus goes dormant if it gets too hot or cold. If you keep the plant outdoors, but the temperatures get too cold, bring the pot indoors.
Part 6 of 6: Controlling Pests and Fungi
Step 1. Treat mealybug infestations with alcohol and nicotine
If the roots are infested remove the plant, cut the roots and repot in sterilized soil.
